Method of and apparatus for transferring strand-like articles



1933- A. G. PIECZENTKOWSKI 1,924,164

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING STRAND LIKE ARTICLES Filed March 22, 1929 e Sheets-Sheet 1 Aug. 29, 1933. A. G. PIECZENTKOWSKI 1,924,154

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING STRAND LIKE ARTICLES Filed March 22, 1929 s Sheets-She'et 2 Aug. 29, 1933- A. cs. PIECZENTKOWSKI 1,924,164

v METHOD O F AuD APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING STRAND LIKE ARTICLES Filed March 22, 1929 e Sheets-Sheet s Aug. 29, 1933. A. G. PIECZENTKOWSKI 5 METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING STRAND LIKE ARTICLES Filed March 22, 1929 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Aug. 29, 1933- A. G. P|EczENTKowsKi 1,924,164

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING STRAND LIKE ARTICLES Filed March 22, 1929 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 JWML 7:6 0

/ M 61% W 7:115 QWO? 7195- Aug. 29, 1933. r A. e. PIECZENTKOWSKI 1,924,164

ARA'IUS FOR TRANSFERRING STRAND LIKE ARTICLES Filed March 22, 1929 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 METHOD o'F AND APP Patented Aug. 29, 1933 PATENT OFFICE METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR TRANS- FERRING- STRAND-LIKE ARTICLES Albert G. Pieczentkowsk i, East Providence, R. I.,

assignor to Providence Braid Company, Pawtucket, R. I., a Corporation of Rhode Island Application March 22, 1929. Serial No. 349,242

74 Claims. (Cl. 153-15) This invention pertains to the manufacture of elongate strand-like articles, of which shoe or similar tipped laces may be cited as examples, and relates more particularly to a method of and means for inspecting, transferring or conveying, and delivering such articles, whether individually or in groups, for example in pairs, such transfer and conveying means including loading and unloading devices.

For specific illustration I have here chosen to describe my invention in its application to the tipping and packaging of shoe laces. The present invention as herein disclosed is embodied in means for holding the laces in definite relative arrangement to facilitate inspection and for transferring the laces after tipping and inspection to a packaging mechanism. This transfer means comprises, among other things, a movable reservoir (or conveyor) device, preferably in the form, of a rack or holder movable individually from loading position adjacent to the tipping machine to unloading position adjacent to the packaging machine, 'such rack or holder being adapted to hold any convenient number of laces, for

7 in tin ed relation to the tipping machine whereby to receWlacesdnprderly sequence from the latter. Further, in a Tiordance with certain embodiments of the invention, the transfq' mechanism comprises means for presenting tlie reserexample a gross, in definit fielation toonc an Fig. 4 is a section substantially on the line 4--4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of one form of packaging mechanism showing certain elements of the transfer mechanism of'the present invention associated therewith; 4 a

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a section to larger scale substantially on the line '7--7 of Fig. 5 showing details of a lace transfer nipper device;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary diagrammatic side elevation illustrating means for supporting a reservoir or conveyor device of another type in position for receiving laces from the tipping machine;

Fig. 91s a fragmentary diagrammatic plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 8; i

Fig. 9 is a detail plan view of a lace holding device such as shown in Figs. 8 and 9;

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic rear elevation illustrating the main cam shaft of the tipping mechanism together with certain actuating elements of the lace delivery mechanism;

Fig. 11 is a section substantially on the line 11l1 ofFig. 10 to larger scale;

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the relation of certain cams comprised in the unloadvoir or conveyor device in proper relation to the device a d in the packaging machine;

packaging machine to permit the laces to be unloaded in orderly sequence for delivery to the reeling mechanism. While equally capable of handling laces of any type whether plain-flat, fiat-tubular, round, etc., I have here chosen to illustrate the invention with particular reference to fiat-tubular laces but when I make reference to flat laces in the description and claims I employ this as a generic term inclusive of both plain-fiat and fiat-tubular laces.

In the accompanying drawings, in which certain desirable embodiments .ofthe invention are illustrated by way of example,

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary front view of so much of a lace tipping machine as is necessary to illustrate the relation of the present invention thereto, and showing means for delivering tipped laces Fig. 1 3\is a diagrammatic view illustrating a convenient relativewrrang ement of the tipping and packaging machines topermit them to be driven from a common source of power in timed relation;

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary front elevation, to larger scale, showing details of a nipper opening cam illustrated in Fig. 6; and

Fig. 15 is a view similar toFig. 3 but showing a modified form of reservoir.

1 Referring to the drawings and more particularly to Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, the numeral 1 designates the frame of a tipping machine. This frame 1 may be provided with upstanding brackets 18 (of which but one is here shown) forming supports for two substantially parallel rails 20 constituting a guideway for a reciprocating shuttle or nipper carriage 21. The brackets 18 also support a rail arm 101.

22 which carries spaced nipper controlling devices 23 and 24. The devices 23 and 24 may be adjusted longitudinally of the rail 22 and determine by their relative positions the points at which the nipper shall seize and drop the lace material respectively. The shuttle or nipper carriage 21' is reciprocated along the rails 20 by means. of a rock arm 25 pivotally connected to the carriage 21 and actuated by any suitable means, not shown. The tipping mechanism also comprises usual tipforming dies indicated generally at D, actuated in usual manner and by usual means.

The lace material C which may be drawn from any suitable source of supply, after passing through tension devices or other accessory elements, extends over a lifter 63 on its way to the dies. This lifter is actuated at proper intervals by suitable mechanism to lift the lace material to form an upwardly extending bight C permitting the nipper 6Q on the nipper carriage to grip the lace material when the nipper carriage is in the dotted line position of Fig. 1. The nipper carriage, as shown more clearly in Fig. 2, carries a fixed jaw 69 with which the movable jaw 69 cooperates. The movable jaw has an actuating tail 70 which is adapted to engage cam devices on the members 23 and 24, whereby the movable jaw is separated from the fixed jaw at proper times to enable it to seize the lace and. then to drop it. As the nipper carriage reciprocates the jaws seize the lace of the bight C and draw it longitudinally across the dies, the length thus drawn out depending upon the point at which the arm 70 engages the releasing cam of the member 24. When the lace material has thus been drawn across the dies, the latter are actuated to form a double length tip, and the material is then severed at the mid point of this tip, thus forming a lace C having tips T and T at opposite ends, it being understood that the tip T was formed at the previous operation.

In accordance with the present invention, I provide automatic lace delivering means for delivering laces from the tipping mechanism to the transfer devices. This delivering means comprises a shaft mounted in suitablebearings upon the frame 1 of the tipping machine or upon other convenient support. This shaft carries an arm 101 which is forked at its outer end to provide parallel arms 102 and 103 (Fig. 1) Each of the arms 102 and 103 is provided with a fixed nipper jaw, 104 and 105 respectively. With these fixed jaws cooperate movable jaws 106 and 107, respectively, carried by bell crank levers pivotally mounted upon themespective arms 102 and 103. These bell crank levers are provided with arms 109 which are connected by a transverse bar 110 (Fig. 1). A connecting rod 111 is pivotally secured at one end to the bar 110, and at its other to a rock lever 112 (Fig. 2) pivoted at-112 on the A spring 113urges the rocker 112 in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 2,

thus tending to hold the nipper jaws open.

The rocker 112 is provided with a cam follower shoe 114 which, as the arm 101 is rocked in a counterclockwise direction, engages a relatively fixed pivoted bridge cam 115, thereby swinging the rocker so as to close the jaws and to deliver the cam follower 114 onto the top of a fixed cam dwell 116 concentric with theaxis of the shaft 100. So long as the cam follower remains in contact with the dwell 116, the nipper jaws remain closed, but when the follower drops from the lower end of the dwell 116, the jaws are opened by the spring 113. As the arm 101 then swings to the right, as viewed in Fig. 2. the cam follower 114 passes through a groove 117 beneath the dwell 116 and eventually escapes from beneath the bridge member by raising the latter. v

The shaft 100 is provided with a pinion 118 meshing, with a segmental gear 119 carried by a shaft 120. This shaft is provided with a rocker arm having a connector rod 121 secured thereto. This connecting rod is actuated in proper timed relation to the movement of the carriage 21 by means of a suitable cam B (Fig. 11) on the main cam shaft S of the tipping machine.

The frame of the machine is furnished with a forwardly projecting bracket 122 provided with bearings for a shaft 123 on which is mounted a ratchet wheel 124 to which is secured a gear 125. An arm 126 turns freely on the shaft 123 and carries a pawl 127 engaging the ratchet wheel 124. The arm 126 is rocked by means of a connecting rod 128-pivotally connected to a rock arm 129 carried by the shaft 100 and which is actuated by means of a connecting rod 129. The connecting rod 129 receives its motion from a cam 201 on a counter shaft 202, (Figs. 10 and 11). A gear 203 fast to cam 201 meshes with a pinion 204 on shaft S. As shown the gear and pinion are in such ratio that the cam 201 turns but half as fast as cam B'but cam 201 has a double throw and thus arm 101 makes one down stroke for each movement of the ratchet wheel. Equivalent means for attaining the desired results may be used. The cams B and 201 are so timed that the ratchet wheel is moved while the arm 101 is moving to the right. (Fig. 2).

The bracket 122 supports an auxiliary bracket 130 (Fig. 2) carrying spaced members 131 which support the-outer of a pair of guide rails 132 and 133 respectively (Fig. 4). These guide rails sup- .port a reciprocating carriage 134, the rails being preferably so disposed as indicated 'in Fig. 2, that the carriage moves in an inclined plane. This carriage is furnished with a toothed rack 135 on its under side which meshes with the pinion 125. The carriage 134 is of suitable width and length to accommodate a lace holdingdevieeftrhereinafter referred to as a reservoir since it functions to, receive and to store an accumulation of laces. shown in Fig. 3, the reservoir may take the form of a rack comprising as one of its essential features two spaced series of article positioning and engaging elements, for example notches 0r slots 138 in parallel bars 137, said notches being spaced at suitable and preferably equal intervals, the notches in the bars being directly opposite each other, a pair of aligned notches hereinafter being referred to as a set. Preferably the notches are inclined to the edges of the bars 137, for example at 45, so that when the reservoir is placed in the carriage, each slot, when in lace-receiving position, opens upwardly and is substantially tangent to the cylindrical surface described by the two pairs of nippers on the arm 101. In place of the notches, series of spring clips or other equivalent retaining elements may be employed for engaging and positioning thelaces, the notches if used being suificiently narrow to pinch orgrip the lace to prevent its accidental displacement or escape.

The reservoir R, comprising the spaced bars 137, may be secured in carriage 134 inany suitable way, as for example, by means of spring clips (not shown) or merely by fitting snugly within a properly dimensioned carriage. Alternatively the carriage may, if desired, be integral with the reservoir and may be moved therewith from place to place.

The delivery mechanism above described operates substantially as follows:Assuming that the tipping machine has just completed a lace C, and assuming that the nipper jaws on the arm 101 are open, and that the completed lace C lies in the path of movement of the jaws, the arm 101 is moved forwardly until the lace lies between the open nipper jaws just as the dies and the nippers on the carriage 21 release the lace. Substantially at the instant that the jaws of the arm 101 engage over the lace, the cam follower 114 engages the cam member 115, thus closing the jaws. The arm 101 continues its forward movement (to the left in Fig. 2) with the lace firmly clasped between its spaced sets of nipper jaws. The arms 102 and 103 are spaced further apart than the two series of lace positioning elements, and in fact far enough apart to straddle the entire Width of the reservoir. Thus when the arm 101 reaches the dotted position of Fig. 2, the straight and slightly tensioned run K of lace extending between the arms 102 and 103 is stretched across the entire width of the reservoir. The latter has been so positioned by the operation of the pawl 127 and ratchet 124 that a set of upwardly open notches 138 stands ready to receive the straight run of lace extending between the nipper jaws. At the end of the forward movement of the arm 101, the nipper jaws are opened as above described, leaving the lace in the reservoir the straight run K being maintained by engagement of the lace at spaced points inthe notches 138. As the arm 101 swings back, the reservoir is moved one step, so that at the next forward movement of the arm 101, a fresh pair or set of notches is positioned to receive a lace.

Preferably the parts are so positioned that a relatively short end of the lace, for example, that end having the tip T, hangs down from one side of the reservoir, the longer portion of the lace depending from the other side. Since the relative position of the guides 132 and 133 and the dies D is fixed, the depending short ends of the several laces are of substantially the same length.

The arm 101 andthe reservoir R continue to move as above described until each set of notches in the reservoir holds a lace. The reservoir is then removed from the carriage, the latter is returned to the upper end of its path, and an empty reservoir is mounted in the carriage. The full reservoir, with its complement of accurately spaced and positioned laces may be delivered to a means for direct carriage to a packaging or other machine, or it may be placed in storage and subsequently used as a source of supply for any later operation whether carried out by hand or mechanically. However, at some point between tipping and packaging the laces must be inspected for defects, and the spaced arrangement of the laces in the reservoir permits inspection of the entire group without disarranging the laces and much more quickly and accurately than is possible by usual methods.

Thus this mode of arranging the laces at the completion of the tipping operation is of distinct advantage since the laces in the reservoir are kept in a definite spaced relative positionso that they are not readily snarled; they are individually exposed for inspection, and they may be separated with the greatest ease and certainty for subsequent use. If desired the reservoir and delivery means may be made of such dimensions as to hold a major part of the lace in a definite position and straight and taut. Thusfor example, as shown in Fig. 15, the reservoir R, which in this instance is made of sheet metal has the parallel side walls 137 spaced apart a distance but slightly less than the length of a lace, the walls having the notches or slots 138 for the reception of the laces. As shown the end portions of the laces are received in the notches or slots 138 in the respective side walls so that the major portion of each lace forms a substantially straight run K withthe tips T hanging down outside the walls 137 While the reservoir thus above described is useful more generally, for example for inspecting laces, its ultimate purpose is to serve as a transfer device or conveyor in which the laces may be stored and eventually carried from the tipping machine to the packaging machine.

Referring now to Figs. 5, 6 and 7, the numeral 140 indicates in general the frame of a machine for performing a subsequent operation upon the tipped laces. As here illustrated this machine is adapted to package the laces in pairs. Only so much of this machine is here disclosed as is necessary to indicate its general mode of operation. Thus, as shown in Fig. 5, the packaging machine comprises a hollow shaft 43 having an elongate pinion 45\mounted thereon and carrying an elongate member 46 constituting the back of a reel. This reel comprises spaced sets of jaws, each set having jaws 47 and 48 which may be separated to admit the ends of a pair of laces between them. An intermittently driven gear 59 engages the pinion 45 and is adapted to turn the reel whereby to wind the laces upon the arms constituted by the spaced sets of jaws. The reel ceive the end of a properly positioned lace between its open jaws, and secondly to move further to a reeling position. The position of the reel is controlled by a cam Z (Fig. 12). This cam has a dwell cl adapted to hold the reel in a fully retracted position, a dwell d which holds the reel in a mid-position during reeling, and an active portion 01 which advances the reel to discharge position after reeling is complete. The machine may comprise a shaft upon which is mounted a turret comprising arms 114 etc., each of said arms being furnished with sets of coil holders 126 and 126 adapted to receive a reeled lace from the jaws of the reel and to carry such .reeled lace to suitable wrapping mechanism (not shown).

In accordance with the present invention, I

provide suitable unloading means for discharging.

laces from the transfer reservoir R and presenting them to the packaging machine, or such other machine asis to perform the next operation upon the laces. To this end I furnish the latter machine with substantially horizontal parallel guide rods 141, 142 and 143 respectively. These rods are secured in fixed relation to the machine frame in any desired manner, their outer ends being supported, if desired, in a bracket 144. The rods 141 and 142 support a reciprocating carriage 145 having a projecting pin 146 to which one end of an actuating lever 147 is connected. This lever 147 may be actuated by any suitable means, for example, a connecting rod 147 Fig. 12) operated by a cam W.

The carriage 145 is provided with a journal 148 for a rock shaft 149. This shaft carries a hub member 150 having a projecting arm 151 whose outer end 152 constitutes a fixed nipper is adapted to be moved axially so as first to re- 'stitutes a movable nipper jaw. A spring 156 tends to hold the jaw 155 in contact with the jaw 152. The hub 150 is also provided with an arm 157 having a cam follower roll 158 which engages a cam face 159 on a fixed plate 160 disposed between the bars 142 and 143. A spring 161, acting upon a pin projecting from the shaft 149, tends to hold the follower roll 158 in contact with the cam surface 159 and to swing the arm 156, when permitted to do so, in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 5. The cam 159 is so shaped that when the carriage 145 is at the outer limit of its stroke, (as shown in Fig. 5) the arm 151 stands substantially at right angles to the guide rods 141 and 142, but when the carriage is at the other end of its stroke, the arm 151 is disposed in a position substantially parallel with the guide rods 141 and 142. As shown in Fig. 5 the nipper jaws 152 and 155 are disposed at substantially right angles to the length of the arm 151. Preferably these 'nipper jaws are of a length at least equal to twice the width of a lace.

The lever 154 is provided, at that end opposite the jaw 155, with a pin 162 adapted to engage a cam 163 (Fig. 14) on a bracket 163 adjustable on the rod 143. This cam 163 is mounted on a pin 163 journalled in the bracket and its free end is normally held against a stop 163 by a spring 163 the under'surface of the cam thus normally inclining downwardly and to the left (Fig. 6). As thecarriage 145 nears the end of its outward stroke, the pin 162 engages the cam 163 and is moved down, thus separating the jaws 152 and 155. When the carriage reaches the end of its stroke the pin 162 escapes from beneath the pivoted end of cam 163 and spring 156 closes the jaws. As the carriage moves back, pin 162 rides over cam 163, and the latter yields downwardly to permit free passage of pin 162.

The frame of the machine is also furnished with a bracket 165 (Fig. 6) providing bearings for a shaft 166 carrying a ratchet wheel 167, a gear wheel 168, and a rock arm 169, the latter being free to turn on the shaft and carrying a pawl 170 which engages the ratchet wheel 167. A connecting rod 171, secured to the arm 169, is actuated by suitable means, for example a cam K (Fig. 12). As shown this cam has a riser a of sufficient throw to cause wheel 167 to advance two teeth for each complete cycle of operation of the reeling mechanism, the advancer of the ratchet'wheel taking place while the carriage 145 is at an intermediate point in its stroke. Obviously equivalent means can be substituted for moving the ratchet wheel and the carriage in properly timed relation.

The bracket 165 carries an auxiliary bracket 172 which supports guide rails 173 along which a carriage 174 reciprocates. A rack 175 secured to the underside of this carriage meshes with the gear 168. This carriage 174 is of substantially the same type and construction as the carriage 134 above described and is adapted to hold the conveyor or reservoir device R. In mounting this reservoir device in the carriage 174, it is preferably arranged with its notches 138 substantially horizontal, and the jaws 152 and 155 of carriage 145 are disposed in such position, and the timing of the parts is such that when the carriage 145 nears the end of its outward stroke, the open jaws 152 and 155 pass on opposite sides of the substantially straight run K of a lace which extends between opposite notches in the spaced rails of the reservoir. Preferably the parts are so arranged and proportioned that the jaws 152 and 155 receive the grip between them two laces slmul- I taneously. As the carriage completes 1t outward movement the pin 162 escapes from the com 163. and the jaws close, thus gripping the laces between them. This action is made possible by the arrangement of the laces in accurately spaced relation in the reservoir, and is facilitated by mounting the reservoir in the inclined position described with the notches 138 horizontal which results in disposing the straight runs K of the series of laces in stepped relation, said runs being in uniformly spaced parallel planes and with the rear edge of one lace substantially below the forward edge of the next lace above it.

As the carriage now moves on its return stroke these laces, gripped between the jaws in edge to edge relation, are pulled out from the slots in the reservoir device and are moved to the right as viewed in Figs. 5 and 6, but when'the follower roll 158 engages. the slope 160 of the cam 159, the arm 151 is swung to the right until at the end of the right-hand stroke of the carriage the. jaws 152 and 155 are disposed, as shown in the dotted line position in Fig. 5. During the last part of the stroke of the carriage, the trailing portions of the laces C are caused to drag over the guide device G and when the carriage comes to a stop at the end of its stroke the short depending ends T of the laces hang directly in the path of the open jaws of the reel. The cam W which moves the. carriage 145 has a dwell d which keeps the carriage at the right-hand end of its path while the cam Z advances the reel to reeling position. During this advance of the reel, the ends T of the lace are gripped between the jaws 47 and 48 of the reel and as the latter jaws close and the reel starts to rotate the laces are dragged out from between the spring pressed jaws 152 and 155. .The operation is thus repeated until the reservoir is empty, whereupon a fresh reservoir, loaded with laces is placed in the carriage and the operation continued.

In Figs. 8, 9 and 9 I have illustrated certain features of the present invention as specifically applied to,a reservoir device of another type.

As illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 13, the tipping machine is associated with a packaging machine in such a way as to permit both machines to be driven in accurately timed relation by means of a common drive shaft S having a drive pulley S adapted to receive a driving belt. Thus in these figures the reservoir device comprises an endless sprocket chain 6 extending from the tipping machine to the packaging machine and provided at suitable intervals with lace-holding supports or holders 7. For conven ience in loading by the means here disclosed, these holders 7 preferably comprise a base member 7 rigidly secured to the chain, and a hinged extension 7 normally disposed in a horizontal plane but capable of swinging to a substantially vertical position. The part 7 is provided with a notch 8 for the reception of laces, the notches preferably being of sufficient depth to hold two laces in edge to edge relation. As here shown the chain passes around a sprocket 181 and then about a sprocket wheel 182, the wheels 181 and 182 being spaced to provide a straight run 183 which lies in a vertical plane intermediate the vertical planes of the arms 102 and 103 of the delivery mechanism. Normally the members 7 of the lace supporting holders move insa substantially horizontal plane, but as they pass along the run 183 of the chain, they engage a cam device 184 which turns the member 7" into a substantially vertical plane as indicated at the central part of Fig. 8. In this position, the notch or slot 8 in the holder is so related to the path of movement of the nippers carried by the arms 102 and 103 of the lace delivery mechanism that the run M of lace extendingbetween the spaced nippers is placed in'the notch 8 with the end T of the lace closely adjacent to the holder and the longer trailing end of the lace hanging down on the other side of the chain. This chain f 6 is driven intermittently in any suitable manner, and may, if desired be driven at such a rate that the lace delivery arm 101 makes two down strokes while the holder member '7 dwells in receiving position, thus placing two successive laces in the recess 8 of each holder. As the chain again advances, the holder member 7 is disengaged from the cam 184 and resumes its normal horizontal position. In order to move the long depending end of the lace C to the other side of the chain, which is its proper position, I may provide any suitable means such, for example, as a rotating brush wheel 185 extending across the width of the chain in a position to brush the depending end of the lace transversely of the chain until it drops to the opposite side.

The holders 7 are moved forward intermittently and eventually reach a stationary position such that the depending ends T of the laces lie directly in the path of the advancing open jaws of the reel. In approaching this position, the long trailing ends of the laces are drawn over the guide G.

- invention.

While I have here disclosed certain desirable embodiments of transfer and conveyor means for moving laces in spaced orderly relation from one machine to another, I wish it to be understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to the specific details of the construction herein disclosed, but that various changes in size, proportion and relative arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit of the I claim 1. Apparatus of the class described comprising a reservoir for tipped laces, said reservoir having a series of lace engaging elements, a swinging arm provided with lace holding means, and means for swinging said arm'back and forth from a source of supply to the reservoir, the holding means receiving tipped laces from the supply and delivering them in orderly sequence to the laceengaging elements of the reservoir.

2. Apparatus for transferring a plurality of tipped shoe laces from one point to another while holding them in a predetermined relative arrangement comprising an elongate rigid reservoir having lace positioning elements arranged in series, and means for delivering tipped laces in orderly sequence to the several positioning a reservoir having means for retaining a series of tipped laces in definite relative position and having means for transferring laces from a tipping machine to the reservoir, said apparatus comprising means for supporting the reservoir, a part moving back and forth in a predetermined path, a nipper device carried by said part, said nipper having separable jaws, means for opening the jaws to permit a tipped lace to enter betweenthem and for closing the jaws on the lace, and means for again opening the jaws to deliver the lace to the retaining means in the reservoir.

4. Apparatus for transferring a plurality of shoe laces from one point to another while hold,-

ing them in a predetermined relative arrangement comprising an elongate movable reservoir having spaced lace positioning elements arranged in series, lace delivering means comprising a nipper device, and means for moving said reservoir to present each of the positioning elements in turn to the delivering means to receive a lace therefrom.

5. Apparatus for transferring a plurality of shoe laces from one point to another while holding them in a predetermined relative arrangement comprising an elongate movable reservoir having spaced lace positioning elements arranged inseries, lace delivering means comprising devices for gripping a lace at spaced points, means for moving said delivering means back and forth in a predetermined path, and means for moving said reservoir in timed relation to the delivering means to dispose each of the positioning elements in turn at a point such that as the delivery means nears one end of its path its gripping devices lie at opposite sides of the positioning element and engage the intervening portion of the lace with the latter.

6. Apparatus for transferring a plurality of shoe laces from one point to another while holding them in a predetermined relative arrangement comprising an elongate movable reservoir having a series of spaced lace positioning elements, lace delivering means comprising devices 1 for gripping a lace at spaced points to provide a straight intervening run, means for oscillating said delivering means in a predetermined path, and means for moving the reservoir step by step -to dispose each lace positioning element of the 1 series in turn at such a point with reference to the path of the delivering means as to permit the latter to place the straight run of the lace in a positioning element of the reservoir.

7. Apparatus for transferring a plurality of shoe laces from one point to another while holding them in a predetermined relative arrangement comprising an elongate movable reservoir having a series of pairs of spaced lace positioning elements, means for moving the reservoir step by step in the direction of the length of said series, lace delivering means moving in a fixed path from a lace receiving to a lace delivering position, said delivering means comprising a lace gripping device, the reservoir and delivery means moving in timed relation whereby to provide a pair of lace positioning elements in transfer relation to the delivering means at each approach of the latter to its lace delivering position.

'8. Apparatus for transferring a plurality of shoe laces from one point to another while holding them in a predetermined relative arrangement comprising'an elongate reservoir having a series of spaced lace positioning elements, an oscillatory nipper device for delivering laces to the positioning elements of the series, means guiding the reservoir to move in a predetermined path, means for moving the reservoir step by step along said ,path, and means actuating the lace delivering means in timed relation to the reservoir whereby to deliver a lace to each of the series of positioning means.

9. Apparatus for transferring a plurality of shoe laces from one point to another while holding them in a predetermined relative arrangement points, means for moving the reservoir step by step lengthwise of said series, lace delivering means having gripping devices adapted to engage a lace at spaced points, said devices being spaced a distance greater than the distance between the series of positioning elements of the reservoir, and means for reciprocating said delivering means in a path such as to dispose its gripping devices in substantial alignment with and straddling a pair of the positioning devices in each interval between successive movements of the reservoir.

10. Apparatus for transferring a plurality of shoe laces from one point to another while holding them in a predetermined relative arrangement comprising an elongate rigid reservoir having two horizontally spaced series of spaced lace positioning elements arranged to hold a series of guideway.

11. Apparatus for transferring a plurality of shoe laces from a tipping machine to a packaging machine while holding them in a predetermined relative arrangement comprising an elongate reservoir having two horizontally spaced series of 'spaced lace positioning elements arranged to hold a series of laces with runs of adjacent laces in spaced substantially horizontal position, and unloading means engageable with runs of the laces in the reservoir for removing them therefrom and delivering a depending end of each lace to the packaging machine.

12. Apparatus for presenting shoe laces to a packaging machine comprising an elongate reservoir having a series of spaced lace positioning elements, lace delivering means, unloading means adapted to remove laces from the reservoir and to convey them to the packaging machine, and means for moving the reservoir in timed relation to the delivering means and to the unloading means respectively whereby to receive and to discharge laces.

13. Apparatus'of the class described comprising an elongate reservoir having a series of lace receivingslots each movable from a loading to an unloading position, meansincluding a nipper device for delivering a. lace into each slot, means for unloading the laces from the slots, and means for moving the reservoir step by step in timed .relation to the operation of the delivering and ing a reservoir having a series of lace receiving 1 slots each movable from a loading to an unloading position, lace delivering means comprising a nipper device, lace unloading means; and means for moving the reservoir step by stepin such timed relation to the operation of the delivering and unloading means as to deliver a predetermined number of laces into each slot, and to remove'a predetermined number of laces from I ervoir.

the reservoir at each actuation of the unloading means.

16. Apparatus of the class described comprising a reservoir in which substantially straight runs of tipped laces are disposed in substantially parallel uniformly spaced relation, and means operative to seize the spaced runs of two adjacent laces at the same time to remove them from the reservoirwhile leaving their end portions freely depending.

17. Apparatus for transferring a plurality of shoe laces from one point to another while holding them in a predetermined relative arrangement comprising an elongate reservoir having a series of uniformly spaced lace positioning elements, unloading means, and means for moving the unloading means and reservoir in timed relation such as to permit the unloading means to remove laces simultaneously from two positioning elements of said series.

18. Apparatus of the class described comprising a reservoir in which a plurality of tipped laces are disposed in an orderly arrangement,

and means for assembling two of said laces at a time and removing them as a pair from the reservoir.

19. Apparatus for presenting laces to a packaging machine comprising a reservoir for tipped laces, 'said reservoir comprising means for holding laces with substantially horizontal runs of adjacent laces in substantially parallel uniformly spaced relation, and means for simultaneously seizing two said spaced runs each at one point and removing two laces at a time from the reservoir and conveying them in paired relation to the packaging machine.

20. Apparatus of the class described comprising a reservoir for tipped laces, means for delivering laces one at a time to the reservoir, and means for removing laces in pairs from the res- 21. Apparatus of the class described comprising a reservoir having means for engaging each of a series of laces and for holding the laces in uniformly spaced relation, means for placing one lace at a time in the reservoir, and means for grasping two laces at a time in the reservoir andremoving them as a pair therefrom.

22. Apparatus of the class described comprising a reservoir having means for engaging each of a series of laces at spaced points to define a straight run of each lace, said engaging means being so arranged that the several straight runs of lace are parallel and spaced apart,'means for delivering laces to said reservoir to form such a series, and means for removing laces from the reservoir in orderly sequence. a

23. Apparatus of the class described comprising a reservoir having means for engaging each of a series of laces at spaced points to define a straight run of each lace, said engaging means being so arranged that the several straight runs of lace are paralleland spaced apart, means for delivering'laces one at a time to said reservoir, and means for removing laces two at a time from the reservoir.

24. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for holding a series of flat laces in stepped relation with their fiat faces parallel, and means for bringing two laces of the series into edge to edge relation in the same plane.

25. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for holding a series of flat laces in stepped relation with their flat faces parallel, and means for grasping two adjacent laces of the series and holding them in edge to edge relation in the same plane.

26. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for holdinga series of flat laces in stepped relation with their flat faces parallel, and means for moving two adjacent laces of the series into edge to edge relation in the same plane and for removing said two laces as a pair from the reservoir.

27. Apparatus of the class described comprising a reservoir having a series of slots each adapted to receive a lace, said slots being inclined relatively to the length of the series, means for supporting the reservoir with the entrances to the slots directed upwardly for the reception of laces, and means for supporting the reservoir ,with the slots at an angle to said first position to facilitate removal of laces therefrom.

28. Apparatus of the class described comprising a reservoir having a series of slots each adapt ed to receive a lace, said slots being inclined relatively to the length of the series, means for supporting the reservoir with the entrances to the slots directed upwardly for the reception of laces, and means for supporting the reservoir with the slots substantially horizontal to facilitate removal of the laces therefrom. 4

29. Apparatus of the class described comprising a reservoir having a series of slots each adapted to receive a lace, said slots being in clined at substantially forty-five degrees to the length of the series, means for supporting the reservoir with the slots directed vertically upward for the reception of laces, and means for .supporting the reservoir with the slots horizontal to facilitate removal of the laces.

30. Apparatus of the class described comprising an elongate rigid reservoir having a series of spaced lace engaging elements adapted to hold laces in predetermined relative position, and means for automatically delivering laces successively'to the several lace engaging elements.

31. Apparatus of the class described comprising a pair of spaced bars each provided with a series of spaced notches, the notches of the two series being similarly spaced, those of one series being aligned with corresponding notches of the other series, and means for automatically disposing laces in the reservoir with a portion of each lace engaged in a pair of opposed notches.

32. Apparatus of the class described comprising a reservoir having lace engaging elements disposed in a series, each of said elements being adapted to receive a flat shoe lace, the elements being so arranged as to hold the engaged portions of the laces in substantially parallel planes, and means for automatically depositing laces one after another in orderly succession in the reservoir so that each lace is received by one of said slots.

33. Apparatus of the class described comprising a reservoir having lace engaging elements disposed in a series, each of said elements being adapted to receive a flat shoe lace, the elements being so arranged as to hold the engaged portions of the laces in stepped relation, and means for depositing laces one at a time in the reser- V011.

34. Apparatus for transferring a plurality of shoe laces from one point to another while holding them in a predetermined relative arrangement comprising an elongate rigid, reservoir, said reservoir having spaced means for releasably .holding a series of shoe laces each with a substantially horizontal run displaced both horizon- 35. Apparatus for transferring a plurality of shoe laces from one point to another while holding them *in a predetermined'relative arrangement comprising an elongate reservoir having a series of spaced lace positioning elements, an in- I clined guide along which the reservoir may move, an intermittently moving drive element associated with the guide, and means on the reservoir with which said drive element cooperates to move the reservoir step by step along the guide.

36. Apparatus for transferring a plurality of shoe laces from one point to another while holding them in a predetermined relative arrangement comprising an elongate reservoir having a series of spaced lace positioning elements, a toothed rack on the reservoir, a guide for the reservoir, a pinion engageable with the toothed rack on the reservoir, and pawl and ratchet means for turning the pinion step by step.

37. Apparatus for transferring a plurality of strand-like articles in accordance with a predetermined arrangement from one point to another comprising a movable reservoir having spaced means for engaging each of a plurality of the strand-like articles at two spaced points to provide a substantially straight and horizontal run of each strand-like article, said runs being displaced both horizontally and vertically relatively to adjacent runs. 38. Apparatus for transferring a plurality of strand-like articles in accordance with a predetermined arrangement from one point to another comprising a movable reservoir having spaced substantially parallel bars, each having a series of article engaging elements, corresponding elements of the two bars being adapted simultaneously to engage a strand-like article at spaced points to provide a substantially straight run of the article between said points, means for moving the reservoir intermittently, and means for delivering a strand-like article to an article engaging element of the reservoir during each interval of rest of the latter.

39. Apparatus for transferring a plurality of strand-like articles in accordance with a predetermined arrangement from one point to another comprising a movable reservoir having a pair of spaced bars, each bar having a series of spaced notches therein, the notches of one bar being opposite to those of the other bar, each pair of opposed notches being adapted to receive a strandlike article and to hold" at least that portion of the article which extends between them in a definite position, and means for moving the reservoir and for disposing strand-like articles in the notches therein.

40. Apparatus for transferring a plurality of strand-like articles in accordance with a predetermined arrangement from one point to another comprising a movable reservoir having means for engaging each of the articles at spaced points to provide a substantially straight run of each article disposed in parallel relation to corresponding straight runs of adjacent articles, and means for moving the reservoir and for delivering strand-like articles in succession to the article engaging means of the reservoir.

' 41. Apparatus for transferring a plurality of strand-like articles in accordance with a predetermined arrangement from one point to another comprising a movable reservoir, a series of pairs of article engaging elements, the elements of each pair being aligned and'engaging an article at spaced points, one element of each pair engaging the article at such a point as to leave a relatively short end of the article projecting from said element, means for moving the reservoir, and means for automatically delivering strand-like articles in succession so that each article is presented to one pair of the article engaging means.

42. Apparatus for transferring a plurality of strand-like articles in accordance with a predetermined arrangement from one point to an-- other comprising a movable reservoir having a pair of elongate parallel bars each provided with a series of article engaging elements, corresponding elements of the two bars engaging the article at spaced points and defining a substantially straight run of the article between them, the article projecting outwardly beyond its point of engagement'with an element of one series to an extent relatively small as compared. with the ,length projecting outwardly beyond a corresponding element of the other series.

43. Apparatus for transferring a plurality of shoe laces from one point to another while holding them in a predetermined relative arrange- -ment comprising a movable reservoir having means for engaging each lace at spaced points and for holding the intervening portions of consecutive laces in stepped relation, means for moving the reservoir, and means for delivering laces in orderly succession tothe lace engaging means.

44.- Apparatus for transferring a plurality of shoe laces from one point to another while holding them in a predetermined relative arrangement comprising an elongate movable reservoir having two series of lace positioning elements, corresponding elements of each series being adapted simultaneously to engage a lace at spaced points and to maintain that portion of the lace intervening between said elements in a plane inclined relative to the length of the reservoir.

45. Apparatus for transferring a plurality of shoe laces from one point to another while holding them in a predetermined relative arrangement comprising an elongate movable reservoir having spaced substantially parallel bars each bar having a series of notches, the notches in one bar being opposite to those in the other bar, each pair ofopposed notches being adapted to receive a lace and to hold the intervening portion of the lace in a substantially straight definitely positioned run, said notches being inclined to the length 01 the bars whereby the positioned runs tof consecutive laces are disposed in stepped relaion.

46. Apparatus for transferring a plurality of flat shoe laces from one point to another while holding them in a predetermined relative arrangemant comprising an elongate movable res ervoir having positioning means for holding a portion of each lace in a definite plane, said portions of the several laces being arranged in stepped relation, means for moving the reservoir in a direction inclined to the planes of said portions of the laces, and unloading means comprising a part moving in a plane parallel to that of said portions of the laces and adapted to en-- gage laces and remove them from the reservoir.

47. Apparatus for transferring a plurality of list shoe laces from one point to another while holding them in a predetermined relative arrangement comprising an elongate movable reservoir having twospaced series of spaced elements for positioning portions of successive laces in parallel substantially horizontal runs, means for moving the reservoir in a path substantially perpendicular to said runs, and unloading means comprising a nipper device movable in a path substantially perpendicular to said runs and adapted simultaneously to seize two spaced adjacent runs of said laces and withdraw them from the reservoir.

48. Apparatus for transferring a plurality of shoe laces from one point to another while h0ld-.

ing them in a predetermined relative arrangement comprising an elongate reservoir having a series of spaced lace positioning elements, means for moving the reservoir step by step in one direction to receive laces, and means to move the reservoir step by step in the opposite direction to discharge laces.

49. Apparatus for transferring a plurality of shoe laces from one point to another while holding them in a predetermined relative arrangement comprising an elongate reservoir having a series of spaced lace positioning elements, lace delivering means, reservoir guide means associated therewith, unloading means, reservoir guide means associated therewith, and intermittently acting means for moving the reservoir along the respectiveguides whereby to receive and discharge laces respectively, the reservoir moving in one direction along one guide and in the opposite direction along the other guide.

50. Apparatus of the class described comprising a reservoir having spaced means for engaging each of a series of tipped laces at spaced points to define a substantially horizontal straight run of the lace betweenv them, and means for seizing said straight run of the lace at a single point and removing it from the reservoir with its ends freely depending.

51. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for holding a series of flat laces in stepped relation with their flat faces in parallel planes,

a nipper device having jaws at least as long as the 'combined width of two laces, means for advancing the nipper device horizontally with its jaws open wide enough to straddle two adjacent laces,

and means for closing the jawsto grasp a pair of laces and hold them in edge' to edge relation;

means for advancing the nipper device in a path intersecting that of the reservoir, the nipper comprising separable jaws, means for opening the jaws to such an extent as'to receive a pair of laces between them as the nipper advances, and means for closing the jaws upon the laces. I

53. Apparatus for transferring a plurality of shoe laces from one point to another while holding them in predetermined relation comprising an elongate reservoir, means for moving the reservoir longitudinally and downwardly step by step in an inclined path, the reservoir comprising means for engaging and holding a series of laces in spaced and stepped relation, a movable carriage, means for advancing and retracting the carriage in timed relation to the movement of the reservoir, a nipper device supported by the carriage, said nipper device comprising separable jaws, means for separating the jaws as the nipper advances to permit them to straddle a lace of the series as the carriage advances, and means.

for closing the jaws upon said lace before the carriage begins to retract.

54. Apparatus for transferring a plurality of shoe laces from one point to another while holding them in predetermined relation comprising an elongate reservoir, means for moving the reservoir longitudinally and. downwardly step by step in an inclined path, the reservoir comprising means for engaging and holding a series of laces in spaced and stepped relation, a movable carriage, means for advancing and retracting the carriage in timed relation to the movement of the reservoir, a nipper device supported by the carriage, said device comprising a pair' of separable elongate jaws normally directed toward the laces as the carriage advances, cam means" for opening the jaws wide enough to permit them to straddle two laces of the series, and spring means for closing the jaws before the carriage begins to retract.

55. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for holding a series of laces in spaced relation, and means for removing a lace from said series and swinging the lace to a position substantially at right angles to its former position.

56. Apparatus of the class described comprising a reservoir having means for engaging a lace at spaced points to define a'straight run of the lace between them, and means for gripping said 4 straight run of the lace and removing it from the reservoir and subsequently disposing the gripped run of the lace at a right angle to its original position.

57. Apparatus of the class described comprising a reservoir having means for engaging'a lace at spaced points to define a straight run of the lace between them, a nipper device having jaws for grasping the straight run of lace between them, and means for moving the nipper device to remove the lace from the reservoir and for subsequently swinging the nipper device through a predetermined angle.

58. Apparatus of the class described comprising a reservoir having means for engaging a lace at spaced points to define a straight run of the lace between them, a carriage reciprocable in a plane perpendicular to the straight run of the lace, an arm pivotally supported on the carriage, a nipper device carried by the arm, said device having separable jaws, means for holding the jaws of the nipper device open as the carriage moves toward the lace whereby to enable the open jaws to straddle the straight run of the lace, means for closing the jaws before the carriage begins to recede from the reservoir, and means for swinging the arm on its pivot as the carriage recedes.

59. Apparatus of the class described comprising means for holding a series of laces in spaced relation, a reciprocating carriage, a nipper device supported by the carriage, said nipper device comprising separable jaws which are open to receive a lace between them as the carriage advances toward the series of laces, means for closing the jaws before the carriage begins its reverse movement, and means for moving the nipper device relative to the carriage as the latter makes its reverse movement so as to swing the laces gripped between the nipper jaws to a position substantially at right angles to their original position.

60. Apparatus of the class described comprising a reservoir having means for engaging a lace at spaced points to define a straight run of the lace between them, a carriage reciprocable in a plane perpendicular to thestraight run of the lace, an arm pivotally supported by the carriage, a nipper device carried by the arm, said device having jaws disposed at substantially right angles to the arm, means so positioning the arm as the carriage advances that the ends of the jaws are directed toward the straight run of lace, cam means for opening the jaws to permit them to straddle the lace, means for closing the jaws before the carriage starts to recede, and cam means for swinging the arm to a position substantally parallelwith the path of the carriage as the latter recedes.

61. Apparatus for transferring a plurality of shoe laces from one point to another while hold: ing them in a predetermined relative arrange ment, said apparatus comprising a movable reservoir having spaced lace positioning elements arranged in series, lace delivering means, and means for moving said reservoir to present each of the positioning elements in turn to the .delivering means to receive a lace therefrom.

62. That method of preparing shoe laces which comprises as "steps applying the tips to both ends of -a lace, disposing successively tipped laces one after another as completed in orderly sequence to form a group with each lace of the group ar ranged in predetermined relation to others of the group, and transferring the group as a unit to another point without substantial disturbance of its constituent laces.

63. That method of preparing shoe laces which. comprises as steps applying tips to both ends of laces successively, disposing successively tipped laces one after another as completed to form a group in which each lace is disposed in predetermined relation to others of the group, and transferring the group as a unit without substantial disturbance of its constituent laces to a position for the performance of a subsequent operation, and removing two at a time from the group.

64. That method of preparing shoe laces which comprises as steps applying tips to both ends of each lace, disposing successively tipped laces one after another as completed to form a group in which each lace bears a definite relation to others of the group. and inspecting the laces for defects while so grouped.

65. That method of preparing shoe laces which comprises tipping the laces, automatically disposing successively tipped laces in orderly sequence to form a group wherein each lace bears a definite relation to others of the group, inspecting the laces while so grouped, and thereafter removing the laces in orderly fashion from the group and performing a subsequent operation thereon.

66. That method of preparing shoe laces which comprises tipping the laces successively one after another, automatically disposing the laces at the completion of the tipping operation to form a group in which each lace bears a definite relation to others of the group, removing the laces two at a time from the group, and transferring them to means for coiling and wrapping them.

67. That method of transferring a plurality of shoe laces from one point to another while holding them in a predetermined relative arrangement, which comprises as steps depositing the laces one after another in a reservoir adapted to hold each lace at two spaced points so as to define a substantially straight run of the lace between said points, said run being short and near one end of the lace, and moving the reservoir with the laces therein to the desired point of use.

68. That method of preparing laces which comprises as steps providing. a lace holding reservoir having a series of lace engaging elements each corresponding to a single lace, moving the laces in orderly succession directly from a source of supply and automatically delivering each successive lace, while keeping it under definite control, to the corresponding engaging element of the reservoir.

69. That method of preparing shoe laces which comprises as steps disposing a series of such laces in predetermined relation with a short portion of each lace substantially straight and parallel to and spaced from adjacent laces, said shortpor tion being near one end of the lace, and holding .each lace substantially at opposite ends of its straight portion to retain it in said predetermined position. y

70. That method of preparing shoe laces which comprises as steps applying tips to the opposite ends of a lace, transferring the lace, while maintaining a substantially straight run thereof, from the tip applying position into proximity to mechanism for coiling the lace, grasping the straight run of the lace, and while continuing to hold it,

- transferring one end of the lace into engagement forth from a source of supply and operative to deliver tipped laces in orderly sequence to the lace engaging elements of the reservoir.

72. Apparatus of the class described comprising a movable shoe lace reservoir comprising lace engaging elements having means to receive and retain a series of tipped laces with a portion of each lace disposed in definite predetermined relation to similarly retained portions of other laces of the series, and a part movable back and forth from a source of supply to a delivery position, said part carrying means operative to receive a tipped lace from the supply and to deliver said lace to the retaining means of the reservoir.

'73. Apparatus of the class described comprising a lace reservoir for tipped laces, said reservoir having a series of lace engaging elements each having means to grip a portion of a tipped lace so as to prevent its accidental displacement and to hold such portion of the lace in definite predetermined spaced relation to portions of other laces held by adjacent engaging means of the series, and means for delivering laces automatically one at a time .to the reservoir. r

'74; The combination with'means for applying tips to shoe laces, of lace positioning means to' receive a plurality of tipped laces and to hold them in a predetermined relative arrangement with a part at least of each lace definitely spaced from the corresponding parts of adjacent laces, and means, for delivering laces in orderly succession from the tip applying means to the receiving means.

ALBERT G. PIECZENTKOWSKI. 

